.DIABETES LIONS CLUB MISSION STATEMENT

WE "SERVE" UNSELFISHLY, AND WITH "PRIDE" THE DIABETIC COMMUNITY. TO CONDUCT AND SUPPORT LOCAL AND LARGE-SCALE EFFORTS LEADING TO THE CONTROL AND TREATMENT OF DIABETES AND IT'S COMPLICATIONS THROUGH EDUCATION, PREVENTION, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESEARCH.

WE ARE THE ONLY DIABETES LIONS CLUB IN THE WORLD, CHARTERED ON NOVEMBER 23, 2003 IN DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH. NOVEMBER 23,2003 WAS PROCLAIMED LAS VEGAS DIABETES LIONS CLUB DAY IN THE CITY OF LAS VEGAS BY MAYOR OSCAR GOODMAN.

                         DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

DIABETES IS GROWING AT EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS. THERE ARE OVER 24 MILLION AMERICANS WITH DIABETES, AND OVER 250 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WITH THE DISEASE. ACCORDING TO THE CDC 1 IN EVERY 3 BOYS AND GIRLS BORN IN THE YEAR 2000 WILL DEVELOP DIABETES IN THEIR LIFETIME.

DIABETES IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF ADULT BLINDNESS, LOWER LIMB AMPUTATIONS, AND KIDNEY FAILURE. THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE IS 2-4 TIMES HIGHER AMONG DIABETICS. HEART DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONGST DIABETICS. ONLY HEART DISEASE AND CANCER KILL MORE PEOPLE PER YEAR THAN DIABETES.

IF DIABETES IS UNTREATED, IT CAN AFFECT THE EYES, KIDNEYS, NERVES , GUMS, TEETH, FEET AND BLOOD VESSELS. THE RESULTS OF SUCH DAMAGE INCLUDE IMPAIRED SENSATION AND /OR PAIN KNOWN AS DIABETIC NEUROPATHY IN THE FEET AND THE HANDS.